Immigration Issues/failed to pay last semester tuition

QuestionHello,
My OPT ends in August and I need to apply for my H1B. My case happens to be a little too complicated though.

I have 2 masters degrees. One is an MS in Sociology and the other is MBA. Both degrees were pursued at Virginia Commonwealth University. MS Sociology was completed in May 2009 and MBA was completed in May 2012. Unfortunately, I was unable to pay my last semester's tuition for MBA due to financial hardships. As a consequence, I don't have my degree and official transcripts for MBA. I have set up a payment plan to pay off my tuition but it will take me at least 2 years to pay off 13,000 dollars.

How is this going to effect my chances of applying for H1B? Can I even apply?

I will like to mention that I have my degree and official transcripts from MS Sociology.

Also, I am currently working as a business analyst.

AnswerHi,

Evidence of completion of the MBA degree will be required for the position of Business Analyst for successful filing of the H1B petition. As a practical matter, the USCIS is usually satisfied with copy of transcript, so a transcript (even if unofficial transcript) is OK if it indicates somewhere on the transcript that the degree was completed and date of completion.

Expertise

I can answer your questions on employment and family-based U.S. Immigration Law. Expertise in various immigration categories includes the following: H-1B, L-1, O-1, PERM (labor certification), EB-1 to EB-3 I-140 employment-based immigrant petitions, family or fiance(e) or spousal sponsorship, visa extension or change of status, adjustment of status, naturalization (citizenship), etc.

Experience

Ajay K. Arora attended Pennsylvania State University and the University of Wales at Swansea (United Kingdom), and earned his law degree at Temple University School of Law, Philadelphia, in 1993. Mr. Arora has practiced Immigration Law since graduation and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association since 1995.

OrganizationsAmerican Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) full member since 1995.

Education/CredentialsAjay K. Arora attended Pennsylvania State University and the University of Wales at Swansea (United Kingdom), and earned his law degree at Temple University School of Law, Philadelphia, in 1993. Mr. Arora has practiced Immigration Law since graduation and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association since 1995.